Reporter Fellow, Local Investigations
Job description
Local Investigative Reporter at The New York Times.
About the role
Fellows are embedded in their reporting community and collaborate with veteran editors over one year, focusing on Louisiana or Mississippi.
Research roles build new knowledge and test ideas. Researchers design studies, run experiments, and analyze results. The work spans academic labs, corporate R&D, and product research. Rigor, reproducibility, and clear reporting are the standards that matter. Research work is evaluated on rigor and reproducibility. Most researchers keep detailed lab books or version-controlled analysis code.
Key facts
What you'll do
Under guidance from Dean Baquet and veteran editors, investigative methods are learned to strengthen judgment and skills.
The community being covered is where work is based, and periodic visits to The Times offices occur for training and support.
High-stakes issues affecting community health, safety, and livelihoods are examined through a year of signature work.
Those in power are held accountable by identifying specific individuals or groups and methods of accountability.
The coverage history on the subject is explained, including clips that highlight local voices and notable reporting.
The impact on people's livelihoods, health, safety, or quality of life is detailed.
Critical records, data, and human sources are identified, and the path to obtaining them is described.
Barriers to reporting are shared, along with what is needed to complete the investigation.
Five published clips are submitted to showcase evocative writing and community-focused storytelling.
A story idea or pitch is included in the cover letter, with each submission limited to 500 words.
Requirements
The posting states a pay range of $85263 to $85263.
The posting states a minimum of 5 years of experience.
Three to five years of professional reporting experience covering a beat is required.
Independent journalism or a newsroom sabbatical for a year is required.
Significant beat experience and an investigative story idea without prior time, resources, or editing support is required.
New perspectives on investigative journalism are brought.
Five clips demonstrating excellence in writing and community-focused storytelling are provided.
Clear description of what is needed to report the story and encountered obstacles is provided.
Subject coverage history, including relevant clips and reporting context, is detailed.
Nice to have
The ability to expose information institutions are trying to keep hidden is present.
A clear sense of how the investigation is unique to its community is shown.
Skills & tools
General investigative journalism skills and methods are used.
Practical notes
This fellowship opens once per calendar year with separate applications for other newsroom roles.
The role is represented by the NewsGuild, and U.S. work authorization is required.
The New York Times may offer variable pay such as bonuses or stock, depending on the role.
Use of GenAI tools is restricted; substantive content must be original, while engineering candidates may use specific permitted tools for assessments.
Typical interview steps
Research interviews usually include a presentation of past work, a technical discussion, and sometimes a research proposal exercise. Candidates may be asked to design a study or critique a method. Depth of understanding is tested more than speed. Interviewers often ask you to present your past work in depth. Being ready to defend every methodological choice is the core preparation.
Good to know
This role emphasizes local investigative reporting.
The position is union-represented.
U.S. work authorization is required.
The fellowship lasts one year.
Standard investigative reporting tools and methods are used.
Career growth
Research careers grow from junior researcher to senior scientist, principal, and lab or research director roles. Some people move into applied research and product work. Publication record or demonstrable impact drives progression, depending on the setting. Research careers reward a strong publication or delivery record. Applied research roles value impact on products as much as novelty.